Injury hits Townend's hopes of winning grand slam

But while Huddersfield rider Townend begins the recovery process from a cracked collarbone, chest bone and ribs – legacy of a crashing fall from Ashdale Cruise Master during Saturday's Rolex Kentucky cross-country phase – his Great Britain colleague William Fox-Pitt celebrated a superb victory.

Fox-Pitt, twice an Olympic team medallist and multi-European Championship medal winner, secured his first Kentucky triumph and 50,000.

The 41-year-old and Cool Mountain led throughout from his dressage test, scoring 42.8, then delivering immaculate cross-country and showjumping rounds.

And it will send him into Badminton, which begins on Friday, sky-high on confidence.

Such was Fox-Pitt's dominance that he could afford to have a fence down in the showjumping and still win, helped by American challenger Kim Severson (Tipperary Liadhnan) plummeting from second to 24th after collecting 24 faults and 12 time faults.

Phillip Dutton, the 2008 Kentucky champion, finished second with Woodburn, while his fellow American Becky Holder (Courageous Comet) was third.

Fox-Pitt's previous best Kentucky finishes had been third in 2003 and two fourth-placed results.

Townend though, is now set to miss out on defending the Badminton title he won last year, especially as his intended ride Carousel Quest – his victorious 2009 Burghley horse – is understood to have suffered a slight training injury.

But at least Townend's journey home should be a more straightforward trip than the marathon 51-hour trek to Kentucky last week.

That adventure included a 1,600 taxi fare from Paris to Madrid and then a holiday charter flight to Miami in an attempt to beat the Europe-wide air travel chaos.

"I feel a bit bashed and bruised, but my spirits are good," Townend said.

"I will fly home tonight and hopefully get a good rest on the plane. At least the trip home should be easier than the journey here.

"I want to get well quickly and start riding again as soon as possible.

"It's a tough sport and these things happen. I was very fit going into Kentucky, and the physical strengthening work I did helped me take such a hard fall without serious damage.

"I have to be grateful for my inflatable air bag jacket and riding hat. They both saved me from suffering more serious injuries.

"I would like to thank all those who have supported me while I've been in Kentucky and everyone who has been sending me messages on Facebook."